There was probably death, certainly suffering, near at hand.

She spurred the King on.
There was a little slope to descend, a wash to cross, a bench to climb--and then she rode up to the black horse.

Sage King needed harder treatment than Lucy had ever given him.
"What's wrong with you ?" she demanded, pulling him down.

Suddenly, as she felt him tremble, she realized that he was frightened.

"That's funny!" Then when she got him quiet she looked around.
The black horse was indeed huge.